Turn It Up

An exciting, unique and free event at our Nuneaton store

Turning enthusiasts should not miss this opportunity to see two top professionals - Mark Sanger and Richard Findley - in action at Axminster's Nuneaton store on Saturday 4th March 2017. You never know, they may go toe-to-toe in a rare and exciting woodturning showdown, so make sure you put the date in your diary for this unmissable encounter.

Are you ready to watch our two woodturning titans in action? There will also be a chance to see pyrography being demonstrated by Chris Kirk from our High Wycombe store and Tormek sharpening by Hannah Fielden-Pickard from our Axminster store.

Meet the turners

Mark Sanger

Mark's work features wood, mixed media, texture, form and colour, all of which are influenced by Far Eastern philosophies and cultures as well as the natural forms and textures found in nature.

Richard Findley

Richard comes from a long line of professional woodworkers and is a production turner, undertaking commissions for one-off prototypes through to large production runs, turning for furniture makers, restorers, architects, designers and joiners.

Event Schedule

We have put together an action-packed schedule for our two protagonists and we will be asking the audience to vote for their favourite at the end of each round. As an added bonus, the event will be hosted and kept on track by none other than our own international woodturning professional and contributor to Woodturning magazine, Colwin Way. The audience will have opportunities to put questions to all three turners at intervals throughout the day.

10.00 - Welcome

Introduction of Mark and Richard

10.10 – Ten Minute Time Trial

Our turners race against the clock to complete a set piece

10.30 – Anything You Can Do – Bout 1

Mark tackles a 20 minute turning trial set by Richard and vice-versa

11.00 – A Few Of My Favourite Things 1

One of our maestros turns up and talks about 1 or 2 of his favourite demo pieces

11.40 – Weapon Of Choice

Our contestants choose just one favourite tool to complete a piece

12.10 – Lunch

There will be an opportunity to meet Mark and Richard after they’ve had a bite to eat

1.10 – Welcome Again

An introduction to the afternoon

1.20 – Mass Production

How many spinning tops can our turners make in 20 minutes

1.50 – Anything You Can Do – Bout 2

Mark tackles a 20 minute turning trial set by Richard and vice-versa

2.20 – A Few More Of My Favourite Things

One of our maestros turns up and talks about one or two of his favourite demo pieces

2.50 – Colwin's Way

Our compere beyond compare announces the Turn It Up final event!

3.20 – Assessment by Colwin

The winner will be announced

3.30 - Meet the Turners

There will be an opportunity to meet Mark and Richard after the presentation